This review discusses the evolution of an emerging dermatologic entity, virus-associated trichodysplasia spinulosa (TS), and its association with the novel human TS polyomavirus. We will describe how this distinct dermatologic diagnosis has arisen from the convergence of strikingly similar histopathologic findings observed across several case reports. The case of virus-associated TS exemplifies how a combination of astute clinicopathologic observation and a well-designed molecular genetic approach can provide insights into the pathogenesis of cutaneous disease.